Man charged with drug-influenced driving after motorcyclist killed in expressway crash

A Singaporean man, Puah Zhe Cong, 34, has been charged with multiple offenses following a fatal collision on the Central Expressway. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of June 5, resulted in the death of a 20-year-old motorcyclist and grievous injuries to his 28-year-old pillion rider.

Puah faces seven charges, including driving under the influence of etomidate, a Class C drug, dangerous driving causing death, grievous hurt, and hurt. He is also accused of failing to stop after the accident and leaving the scene with his vehicle. Police stated that Puah was driving erratically, forcing other vehicles to swerve, before stopping his car in the middle of the expressway. The motorcyclist collided with the stationary vehicle, and both riders were thrown into the path of oncoming traffic.

Authorities arrested Puah within 13 hours of the police report, with etomidate detected in his blood. His driving license has been suspended. If convicted as a repeat offender for driving under the influence of a drug, he could face up to two years in jail, a fine of S$5,000 to S$20,000, and a driving ban of at least five years. For dangerous driving causing death, he could be jailed for two to eight years, or two to four years if considered a "serious repeat offender," along with a minimum 15-year driving ban.

Puah also has other pending charges, including two counts of stealing a car-sharing vehicle, using another person's login credentials to rent a car, driving without insurance, and remitting US$1.2 million to bank accounts on behalf of a criminal. His case was adjourned for a pre-trial conference on June 26.

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Puah had been driving "erratically" at about 1.15am that day, causing other vehicles to take evasive action to avoid him.